Vincent Kompany left Manchester City in 2019, having won the Premier League title four times, along with two FA Cups and four EFL Cups; David Silva, who made 436 appearances for City, won likewise plus the EFL Cup in 2018-19; a third statue of Sergio Aguero will be completed next year
Saturday 28 August 2021 10:52, UK
Manchester City have unveiled statues of Vincent Kompany and David Silva at the Etihad Stadium.
Kompany played for City for 11 seasons, captaining them for eight and leading the club to their first top-flight title for 44 years when they won the Premier League in 2011-12.
The Belgian defender added further league crowns in 2013-14, 2017-18 and 2018-19, as well as lifting the FA Cup twice and the EFL Cup four times, with Silva also sharing in all of that glory.
Silva, a world and European champion with Spain, also added a fifth EFL Cup in 2019-20.
The statues, which will be illuminated by blue-tinted lighting at night, were created by award-winning sculptor Andy Scott and have been constructed using thousands of welded pieces of galvanised steel.
"I didn't really expect to be recognised by such a great club in that way," Kompany told the club's website.
"My wife is from Manchester, my kids are born in Manchester, and they go back to a place where they can see something that represents what their dad has achieved and that is something that I can't describe.
"The first time I saw the statue I couldn't believe how big it was, but then again, I'm a big boy, so fair enough! And then especially the pose, for me it means a lot."
Silva made 436 appearances for City, scoring 77 goals.
"Being at City changed my life. I'm proud of what we did together and I feel emotional that it has been recognised like this," said Silva, whose statue captures the midfielder with his foot on the ball and looking up.
"When I first saw the statue, I felt good, I thought it was like me. This statue really represents the way I like to play, I love the pose the sculptor has chosen.
"It really reminds me of those times I was on the pitch playing and that moment when I had to find the striker."
Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the club's chairman, added: "Ultimately, Vincent and David do not need statues to enshrine their achievements at Manchester City over the past decade.
"They are already revered as icons of their generation.
"But what these artworks give us, and generations to come, is the opportunity to be reminded of, and savour, the truly magical moments created by both men."
A third statue - of record goalscorer Sergio Aguero - is set to join the existing two next year.
